At WWE Crown Jewel 2025, John Cena and AJ Styles met in the ring for a concluding chapter of their celebrated rivalry. The event marked a significant moment as the originally intended bout between Cena and Drew McIntyre was altered, with WWE opting instead for the clash between Cena and Styles. This change sparked reactions from McIntyre, the current Undisputed WWE Champion, who shared his thoughts about the switch in a recent discussion.
Drew McIntyre Comments on Losing the Cena Match
During an interview with Shakiel Mahjouri from Shak Wrestling, McIntyre addressed the shift away from him facing John Cena. He expressed his wish to have shared the stage with Cena not only to compete but also to prove his skills in promos. McIntyre reflected on the decision, acknowledging that after hearing Cena’s perspective, WWE decided to pivot to a match against AJ Styles instead.
“I can’t change the creative direction. I talked about getting that match with Cena and get in a situation on the microphone with Cena, just to prove what I’m capable of because I want to compete with the best and he is, or was, the best on the microphone. I heard what John said. Whatever people weren’t feeling what was going on, they decided to pivot. He outright asked, ‘Do you want AJ? The match was incredible. I can sit here and go, ‘Damn, what if? What if he tweeted my name?’ The reality is, he’s retired and I’m world champion, so I think it worked out just fine for Drew McIntyre,”
McIntyre said.
When asked if he had awareness of the original booking plan, McIntyre replied cautiously that he stays focused on his work and does not influence WWE’s creative decisions through social media.
“I know enough. I keep my head down, and I keep working, no matter what happens. I can’t take his phone and say, ‘Just tweet my name?’”
Context of the Participants and Their Status
As the Undisputed WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre remains an active competitor in WWE storylines, whereas John Cena and AJ Styles have both officially retired from regular wrestling. This dynamic adds weight to the decision to feature Cena and Styles at Crown Jewel 2025, culminating their historic rivalry one last time.
The Significance of WWE’s Matchmaking Decisions
The switch from a McIntyre vs. Cena match to Cena versus AJ Styles highlights WWE’s tactical approach to storytelling and fan engagement. While McIntyre sought the opportunity to showcase his prowess alongside a legendary figure like Cena, the company’s pivot ultimately delivered a memorable encounter between two retired icons, generating significant attention from the wrestling community.
Looking forward, AJ Styles is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2026, cementing his legacy within the industry. Meanwhile, McIntyre’s reign as world champion positions him as a key figure in WWE’s future programming, while fans anticipate how these developments will unfold on WWE Raw and upcoming events like the Women’s Elimination Chamber matches featuring qualifiers such as Raquel Rodriguez.
